This has been such an exciting year of teaching. Our students are so motivated to learn and work so hard at it. Sandpaper Letters are one of the ways in which reading and writing are first introduced to young children in Montessori schools. My first year of teaching I couldn't get anyone very excited about working with them, but this year children have been so enthusiastic about Sandpaper Letters. Some days there are so many requests, that we spend a good portion of the day on them.

One young child who had just barely turned three asked me early on in the year to work with Sandpaper Letters. She didn't seem to absorb much from day to day, but she kept asking each day. We spent many, many days working on the same first three letters, "m", "a", and "s". In spite of her apparent lack of progress, she was eager and enthusiastic each time.

And then one day... something started clicking! She's worked hard at it all year long and has learned almost all of her sounds now.

This determination, enthusiasm and desire to learn has been widespread this year. It is beautiful to behold and makes teaching a joy!